A popular public recreation area along the Chipola River near Altha will soon be managed in accordance with new rules that protect Chipola River water resources.

On July 1, visitors to the 1,378-acre tract west of County Road 274 in Calhoun County will be subject to new wildlife management area rules that were recently passed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) in cooperation with the Northwest Florida Water Management District.

The Altha tract features two well-known river access points, Johnny Boy Landing and Look and Tremble Rapids, as well as considerable riverfront and adjacent uplands. Popular activities are canoeing/kayaking, fishing, tubing and swimming. Other planned uses are hunting, hiking, horseback riding and possibly limited camping. The FWC rules provide for several quota hunts, as well as a non-quota small game hunt. They will also limit vehicles to named roads, prohibit all-terrain vehicles, possession or consumption of alcohol and camping—until primitive sites can be developed. Recreational use of the property will be enforced by the FWC and the Calhoun County Sheriff’s office. The property will be managed as part of the Chipola River Wildlife Management Area, which includes another District-owned tract in Jackson County north of Marianna.